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For nearly a century from the accession of William and Mary, the internal history of the colony is marked by few startling events.2 The currents of life moved peacefully and prosperously along the line of political and religious princi- ples and social and business customs that developed almost an ideal condition of common blessings. Seasons of adver- sity, and times of threatened danger, were not infrequent ; but, while the alarm of war was often heard without, quiet reigned within her borders.
In the struggles that brought great distress upon her sis- ter colonies, Connecticut always gave her aid in generous measure. In answer to a call from Governor Bradstreet of Massachusetts to aid in the war with the Indians at the East, she sent some of her leading men to Boston, to consult with commissioners from the other colonies. Satisfied that the war was " lawful and just," two hundred of the militia were at once sent forward. This aid was all the more generous, since the colony was suffering at the time from an epidemic sickness of peculiar severity. A few men were sent to help Governor Leisler keep the peace in the village of New York, while he tried to carry out some new plans of government. When tidings came that the frontier towns of his province were threatened by the French and their Indian allies, a part of this force, in command of Captain Bull, was sent to Schenectatly ; and at the time of the attack upon the place,
99
FITZ JOHN WINTHROP VINDICATED.
1692.]
and the massacre that followed, five of the Connecticut men were killed, and five captured. A re-enforcement of two hundred men at once marched to Albany. Early in the spring, an expedition was planned against Quebec. The land force was to consist of eight hundred Englishmen, and more than twice that number of Indians of the Five Nations. ยท Connecticut furnished her full quota of soldiers, and the army was placed in command of Fitz John Winthrop. After reaching the place of rendezvous, at the southern end of Lake Champlain, Winthrop found that neither the Indians nor promised provisions were there ; and he thought it best to retreat at once. Leisler, it is said, became so enraged at General Winthrop because of this action, that he caused his arrest, and placed him under guard, for the purpose of bringing him before a court-martial. This high-handed pro- ceeding, it is also related, was brought to a summary close by a party of Mohawks, who crossed the river, and, break- ing through the guards, released the prisoner, " to the uni- versal joy of the army." Upon returning home, General Winthrop was cordially received ; and, after a careful inves- tigation of his conduct, a vote of thanks and exoneration was passed by the Assembly.3
Fearing that the French fleet, reported at one time to have anchored in Narragansett Bay, might visit the Connecticut coast, the fortifications at New London and Saybrook were garrisoned and put in repair ; but the war was confined to attacks upon the western frontier, beyond the Hudson, and the settlements of Northern New England. In August, 1692, Fletcher, the recently appointed governor of New York, arrived from England with a commission that gave him command over the militia of Connecticut and the neigh- boring provinces. This at once aroused the discussion of the old question of jurisdiction that had already caused so much trouble and anxiety. The spirit that had flamed up against the attempt of Andros to deprive them of their
100
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1693.
charter liberties, was again rekindled. General Winthrop was appointed as the agent of the colony in bringing their protest before the king, and calling his attention to the wrong that would be done them in allowing Governor Fletcher to exercise control over their militia, in direct violation of privileges granted by their charter.
The New-York governor would not listen to any concilia- tory suggestions, and determined to visit Hartford, to en- force his demands in person. He found the Assembly in session ; and, having with a great flourish of words asserted his authority, insisted that they should at once give a direct answer as to whether they would, or would not, obey his orders. The Assembly very dutifully complied with his command that the militia should be summoned under arms. Governor Fletcher desired this to be done in order that he might beat up for volunteers : the sequel proved that Gov- ernor Treat and his advisers had a very different idea. The train-bands were no sooner called together than the authori- ties more firmly than ever denied the right of any persons outside of the colony to direct their movements.
Governor Fletcher now sought to accomplish his purpose by a more conciliatory policy. He sent a letter to the As- sembly, in which he disclaimed any desire or purpose to in- terfere with the civil rights of the colony. All that he asked was, that they should acknowledge that the king had author- ity to appoint the commander-in-chief of the militia. The Assembly refused to give up their control of military affairs, and Governor Treat declined the commission that had been tendered to him. According to orders, the train-bands had gathered at Hartford; and while they were being exercised by the senior officer, Captain Wadsworth, Governor Fletcher gave commands that his commission and instructions should be read to them. " Beat the drums," was the instant com- mand of Captain Wadsworth. The uproar was so great that nothing else could be heard. Colonel Fletcher demanded
101
GOVERNOR FLETCHER AT HARTFORD.
1693.]
silence, and his secretary attempted to read again. " Drum, drum, I say," was the renewed order of Wadsworth; and drum they did with lusty vigor, in spite of the angry remon- strance of the royal governor, who cried, " Silence ! Si- lence !" When a pause came, Captain Wadsworth again gave the command to "drum," and, turning to his excel- lency, said, " If I am interrupted again, I will make the sun shine through you in a moment." No further attempt to read the instructions or enlist men was made. The disgusted and angry governor with his suite soon left town, and re- turned to New York.3
1 FITZ-JOHN WINTHROP was sent, four years after this, to England, to urge this matter; and Increase Mather, who was in England at the time the colony sent the Address, asking for the con- firmation of the charter, proved an efficient friend.
2 THE WITCHCRAFT mania that raged with such fury in Eastern Massachusetts made trouble in Connecticut. At a spe- cial session of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, held at Fairfield in September, 1692, Mercy Disborough of Compo, in Fairfield, Goody Miller, goodwife, alias Elizabeth, Clawson, and Mrs. Staples, were indicted for familiarity with Satan. " The evidence," says Mr. C. H. Hoadley, " was much of the same nature as in other cases of this crime. The water- ordeal was resorted to, as it had been in Hartford in 1662. Four witnesses swore that Mercy Disborough, being bound hand and foot and put into the water, swam like a cork, though one labored to
press her down. Elizabeth Clawson also floated." At a session of the court held in the same place, Oct. 28, Mercy Dis- borough was alone found guilty. Sen- tence of death was passed ; but a memorial was sent to the General Assembly asking for her pardon, and there is good reason for believing it was granted. (See Colo- nial Records, vol. iv. p. 76.)
3 THERE is no doubt but that Leisler and his commissary Milborn were utterly remiss in giving the aid they had prom- ised in this expedition. When the Connecticut magistrates learned that Winthrop had been arrested by Leisler at Albany, they sent a peremptory de- mand for his release.
4 THIS is the story of tradition. The probabilities are, that, like many other stories, it has been exaggerated by repe- tition. It hardly seems reasonable that the New-York governor and the Con- necticut captain should have come into such personal and angry collision.
102
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1698.
CHAPTER XVIII. 1698-1705.
COLONIAL PROSPERITY.
INTHE petition presented to the English Government by General Winthrop met with a favorable answer. It was decided that Connecticut might command her own militia, with the understanding that she should furnish a quota of one hundred and twenty men to be under the orders of Governor Fletcher during the war.
Until the session in October, 1698, the General Assembly had consisted of one House, but thereafter it became two. The governor, or in his absence, the deputy-governor, and magistrates, composed the Upper House. The Lower House consisted of deputies, now called representatives, from the several towns in the colony. No public act could become a law without the consent of both Houses. The office of jus- tice of the peace was instituted, and a carefully revised edi- tion of the laws was published by authority.
" Free from harassing Indian wars, and from the religious troubles of Rhode Island, with an independent government, Connecticut was the most peaceful, the most prosperous, and the happiest, of the colonies. Her schools flourished, her towns throve, the franchise was extended, legislation improved, debt avoided, faithful magistrates continued long in office, and great attention was paid to every thing calcu- lated to improve the welfare of the people " (Lodge).
We have come now to the dawn of the eighteenth century.
103
EFFORTS TO DESTROY THE CHARTER.
1698.]
The death of William of Orange in the spring of 1702 was followed by the accession of Queen Anne to the English throne. The colony continued to prosper in its domestic affairs ; but trouble and anxiety were caused by the plotting of enemies without, who were at times aided by certain dis- affected citizens. The ambitious Dudley, then governor of Massachusetts, pushed his schemes by which he hoped to unite all of New England under his government. Governor Cornbury of New York endeavored to carry out the same plan in connection with the southern provinces. These men, in seeking to further their selfish interests, were especially anxious to humble Connecticut, and destroy the charter, which stood in the way of their usurping the power they desired.
Dudley, in his early official relations with Andros, had become an apt pupil in the school of mean and lying in- trigue ; and he attempted to secure the concentration of the government in his hands by false accusations of various kinds. Soon after the accession of Queen Anne, a bill was introduced into Parliament, the purpose of which was to destroy the charters of the colonies. Connecticut was again fortunate in the character and ability of her agent in London, Sir Henry Ashurst. His plea in behalf of the rights of the colony, contained in a remonstrance to the Lords and a hearing at the bar of the House of Commons, made so deep an impression, that the bill was rejected by Parliament.
With a persistence of purpose worthy of a better cause, Dudley, with the co-operation of Cornbury, still continued his misrepresentations, and sought to arouse prejudice against Connecticut, at the English court. Both of these men had influential friends within the royal circle, and they made all of the capital they could out of the grievances of a few disaffected persons who were displeased with certain decisions of the colonial courts that had been adverse to
104
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1705.
their demands and interests. At the very time Dudley was plotting the destruction of the colony, he wrote a letter thanking the General Assembly for the generous manner in which they had responded to his call for supplies. This piece of hypocritical duplicity, however, proved a weapon that Ashurst skilfully used in defending the colony.
While the Connecticut authorities were ignorant of what was passing, the queen appointed a time for hearing the charges of Governors Dudley and Cornbury. There is no doubt but that they had succeeded in prejudicing those high in official power against the colony, and they hoped soon to consummate plans that would at last humble and destroy the commonwealth that had so long successfully retained her charter rights. Sir Henry endeavored to secure a delay that would give the colony time to make an answer. This was refused.
Stung by the sense of injustice done his clients, and real- izing more fully the responsibility that was thrust upon him- self, in this exigency he sought the efficient aid of his brother-in-law, Lord Paget. On the day appointed for the hearing, Sir Henry, in an address before the queen and her council, with great eloquence and ability presented the cause of the colony. It was a good cause, and he knew full well the character of the false representations that had been dis- seminated. He referred first of all to the charter under which Connecticut had so abundantly. prospered. He showed, that, while those who enjoyed its privileges had stood sturdily for their rights, they had never for a moment for- gotten their loyalty to the English throne. Even when wrong had been done them, they had been steadfast in meet- ing every royal command. To the charge that the courts were irregular and unjust, Sir Henry replied, that, in every case of appeal to the crown, their decisions had been approved.
To the bitter complaint of Governor Dudley that the col-
105
ASHURST DEFENDS THE COLONY.
1705.]
ony had refused to furnish money and men when he called for them, it was shown that they had done all that the crown had commanded, and this was all that could be required of them under the charter. The defence of Sir Henry turned the tide of royal sympathy towards Connecticut. It was decided that the charges should be sent to the governor of Connecticut, and that all communications, both on the part of the colony and of Dudley and Cornbury, should be sent under seal, and certified. The court evidently was impressed with the fact that there had been a great many false reports set afloat in an irresponsible way. This action was a blow to the machinations of Dudley and Cornbury.
Connecticut was only too glad to state the real facts in the case. She had nothing to conceal, but many things which she was proud to bring to the attention of the queen and her councillors. Instead of declining to aid in the protection of her neighbors, she had then, and also in the preceding year, from five hundred to six hundred men in actual service, four hundred of them having been employed for the most part in the defence of Massachusetts and New York. To clinch the argument in behalf of her loyalty to the general welfare of the colonies, the letter of Governor Dudley was enclosed, in which, only a year before, he had thanked Connecticut for her prompt and generous aid. One of the principal charges brought against the colony by Dud- ley, was that of unjust treatment of the Mohegans in tak- ing away their lands. The truth was, that great care had been taken to deal with this friendly tribe with scrupulous honor.2 The representations of John Mason and other aggrieved parties had, however, deceived the queen and her council to such an extent, that a commission was selected to look into the matter, and Governor Dudley was named as one of its members. Having been appointed president of the court, he called a meeting of the members at Stonington, Aug. 23, 1705. After a partial hearing of only a single
106
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1705.
day, and in the face of a protest from a committee sent to act in behalf of Connecticut, and with no evidence before them except that of interested persons, they pronounced judgment. A large tract was given to Owaneco, the Mo- hegan chief, both in New London and Lyme, besides the whole of Colchester. Upon a further hearing of Owaneco and other complainants, the court represented to the queen that extensive tracts of land north of New London had been unlawfully taken from the Mohegans, and the tribe in many ways unjustly treated. It was a severe trial to the patience of the citizens of Connecticut to suffer from accu- sations that were so unjust. Owaneco had always been treated kindly, and the government had paid liberally for the land it had purchased. At the time New London received its patent, between four and five thousand acres were reserved for the use of the Mohegans.
The court adjourned until the following spring, but this proved to be its last meeting. Information was sent to Sir Henry Ashurst by a committee appointed by the General Assembly. The proofs were so strong in favor of the col- ony, that the queen appointed a commission of review, that decided in favor of Connecticut. Nearly seventy years passed, however, before the case was entirely settled.
1 JOHN ALLYN, secretary of Con- necticut for thirty-three years, died Nov. 6, 1696. Mr. Allyn was a man of great energy and force of character. His wide acquaintance with the men and affairs of his times gave him a peculiar influence in the political management and conduct of the colony. His pen was ever ready to assert the rights of Connecticut, and there was little done in the long years while he held office in which he did not act a prominent and honorable part. Governor Treat was elected governor year after year until 1698. He then asked to be relieved, on account of the infirmi- ties of age; and Fitz John Winthrop
became governor, and Treat took the second place.
2 The controversy with the Mohegan Indians is thus stated by Dr. Palfrey : " Major John Mason, conqueror of the Pequots, had, in behalf of the colony, in 1659, bought of the sachem Uncas cer- tain lands, which the colony, in its turn, had conveyed to the English proprietors. His grandson, of the same name, associ- ating with himself some other disaffected persons, pretended that both the Mohe- gans and Major Mason's heirs had been overreached and wronged by the colonial authorities, who, as they alleged, had oc- cupied more land of the former than they
1705.]
THE MOHEGAN CONTROVERSY.
107
had bought, and had taken to themselves the benefit of a purchase made by Major Mason on his private account. For the sake of peace and the credit of magna- nimity, the government offered to the chief Owaneco, who represented the In- dians, to pay them again for the land.
But Mason and his friends interfered, resolved to obstruct any accommodation." Mason went to England with this com- plaint against the colony for extortion from the natives, and it was at his insti- gation the queen appointed a commission to investigate the matter.
108
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1706.
CHAPTER XIX.
1706-1717.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
NROM the earliest settlement of Connecticut the sentimen prevailed among the people, that, next to the interests of religion, the prosperity of the community depended upon the school. As early as 1648 the Assembly passed a law pro- viding for common education. Every town containing fifty families was required to sustain a good school, where reading and writing should be " well taught." A grammar school was established at each county-seat, and large tracts of land were appropriated for their permanent support.
Great attention was given to the matter of family instruc- tion. The selectmen were required to see that the children and servants of every home were taught to read, and ques- tioned on matters of religion once a week. Bibles and books were furnished the destitute at public expense, and a fine of twenty shillings was imposed for the neglect of these duties.
For many years, contributions were sent annually for the support of the college at Cambridge. The purpose was early formed, however, of founding a college within the New- Haven colony. An effort was made in this direction in 1654. It was at this time that Mr. Davenport interested Mr. Hopkins in the educational needs of the colony, and re- ceived from him the donation that became an endowment of the grammar school established in 1659, and that still flour- ishes under his name. As the number of young men desiring
109
YALE COLLEGE FOUNDED.
1707-08.]
a liberal education increased, the matter of the college was more and more agitated. As the result of sundry deliber- ations, ten ministers, who had been selected to act as trustees, met at Branford in 1700.
They here founded the college by the contribution of some forty volumes, each saying, as he presented his books, " I give these books for the founding of a college in this colony." This was the grain of mustard-seed from whence has grown Yale University with its wonderful history. The college was first opened at Saybrook in 1701, but in 1716 was removed to New Haven. In September, 1718, the name of Yale College was given by the trustees to the school, in honor of the benefactions of Elihu Yale of London, who had recently held the position of Governor of Madras.
During the short time that the college remained at Say- brook,1 a convention of ministers and laymen, representing a large proportion of the churches, met at the commencement, in 1708, and adopted a confession of faith and certain rules of ecclesiastical order known as the Saybrook Platform. The first churches formed in Connecticut were congrega- tional in polity ; and this convention was called, not only to bring these independent churches into closer fellowship, but also to provide for the more regular assembling of councils of advice. The close relation in which the churches stood to the State is illustrated in the fact, that, after the report of the Saybrook convention had been received by the Assem- bly, they proceeded to ratify its doings by a formal vote.2
Governor Fitz John Winthrop 3 died in 1707 ; and Gurdon Saltonstall, pastor of the church in New London, was elected in his place. Governor Saltonstall was a man of command- ing presence and great executive ability, and his adminis- tration of affairs was marked by energetic action and wise foresight. Connecticut continued to prosper in all that per- tained to her domestic affairs, but she was called upon again and again to make costly sacrifices of life and treasure in the
110
HISTORY OF CONNECTICUT.
[1709-13.
French and Indian wars. These wars are known in history as King William's War (1689), Queen Anne's War (1702), King George's War (1744), and "The Old French and Indian War" (1755 to 1763). In these conflicts, continued through so many years, Connecticut realized that it was being decided as to whether the French or the English should con- trol the Western Continent.
We have already noticed the part which the colony acted in King William's war. When hostilities were again re- Scale of Miles newed, soon after the ac- cession of Queen Anne, 0 100 200 300 NEWFOUNDLAN Connecticut was not in- A NADA clined to respond to the demands of Dudley, who G ACADIA St Lawrence Quebec of Cape Breton I was thoroughly detested Louisburgh by the people. Governor St. Lawrence R. Montreal Po Halifax Royal Saltonstall, as soon as he entered upon his office, Boston inaugurated a more active O policy. In the fruitless EARLY FRENCH WARS. campaign of 1709, Con- necticut furnished both men and money, and in the following year sent three hundred men and five transports to join the expedition that captured Port Royal. The following year the colony responded, with its accustomed alacrity, in fur- nishing troops and provisions for the army and fleet that, under the charge of Admiral Walker and General Hill, met with disaster and failure. The expense incurred in these expeditions led to the circulation of the first paper money ever issued by the colony. These bills of credit were secured with such care and financial skill that they scarcely depre- ciated at all, and the people found them a very convenient medium of exchange.
A long and vexatious controversy over the Massachusetts boundary was amicably settled in 1713. The line was run
C
111
POPULATION AND TRADE.
1713.]
by commissioners appointed by both parties ; and, in the final decision, Connecticut received over one hundred thousand acres that Massachusetts had laid claim to. This land was sold for six hundred and eighty-three pounds currency, mak- ing the price about six farthings an acre, and the money given to Yale College. The boundary question with Rhode Island still remained open.
The tidings of the Peace of Utrecht was received with great joy by all the colonies. The draft upon their resources had been continuous and severe. Connecticut, to be sure, had been more fortunate than her neighbors. The town of Simsbury had alone been destroyed, and that was burned after the inhabitants had found a place of safety. The seeds of religious training, moral habits, and educational advantages, sown in the hearts and homes of the people, had produced a harvest of character that was enjoying the bless- ings of the prosperity that attends upon industry, morality, and mental enlightenment.
The population of the colony in 1713 was probably be- tween twenty-five thousand and thirty thousand. Thirty- eight towns sent forty delegates to the Assembly. There were four counties (Hartford, New Haven, Fairfield, New London), and the militia consisted of a regiment of a thou- sand men from each county. Considerable trade was carried on with Boston, New York, and the West Indies. The only articles exported to Great Britain were turpentine, pitch, tar, and furs. Horses, pork, beef, and cattle were sent to the West Indies, and in return they received rum, sugar, molasses, and cotton-wool. The entire shipping of the colony consisted of two small brigs and twenty sloops. There was but a single clothier, and all that he could do was to full the cloth ; and most of that which was manufactured was worn without shearing or pressing. Twice during the year the Assembly met ; but every thing was conducted upon so simple and economical a scale, that the entire expense
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